Full DIG Philly Commercial Investment Subgroup Meeting | December 2025

In this special episode recorded live at the DIG Philly Commercial Investment Subgroup meeting, host Rob Coldwell sits down with financial advisor and Forbes contributor Fred Hubler to unpack one of real estate’s best-kept secrets: Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs).

What You’ll Learn:

Fred opens with a story that will make any landlord pay attention: a family with a $14 million mobile home park, fully depreciated with no debt, facing a massive tax bill. Through strategic DST planning, Fred’s team saved them $9 million in taxes while generating MORE passive income than they were making as active operators. The real estate agent on the deal? Bought two Bentlies with his commission. Fred? Got a box of cigars.

But this episode goes far deeper than one success story.

The Conversation Covers:

  • What DSTs Actually Are
  • The Emotional Side of Selling
  • Real Numbers, Real Portfolio
  • The Three Doors Strategy
  • Advanced Strategies Revealed
  • Institutional Advantages
  • Real Risk Discussion
  • Who This Is (and Isn’t) For

Key Insights:

“When they buy, they will cut expenses by 25%” — Fred explains how institutional operators immediately add value through scale

“All 18 families said a derivative of that: ‘We don’t think anything’s going to get any better and we just want income we can trust'” — The surprising common thread among sellers

“The first question you should be asking me is how are you protecting me against additional risk” — Fred’s three-layer protection strategy for investors

“I have 1,800 failure points” — How one owner with 1,800 doors described his portfolio before converting to DSTs

Practical Takeaways:

  • How to identify if you or a seller is a good DST candidate (minimum $100K equity, must be accredited)
  • The critical 45-day identification rule and why the best DSTs sell out in days, not weeks
  • Fee structures: 5-7% of equity invested, paid once (about 93 cents of every dollar actually goes into the property)
  • Why Fred uses interest rate hedges, construction contingencies, and rental model validation to protect investor capital
  • The accreditation requirements: $1M net worth (excluding primary residence) OR $300K joint income for individuals; $5M for trusts

Who Should Listen:

  • Active landlords considering an exit strategy or transition to passive investing
  • Real estate agents working with older clients who own appreciated property
  • Syndicators and developers who want to offer sellers a tax-advantaged exit
  • Anyone managing 10+ doors who’s tired of the operational burden
  • Financial advisors working with real estate investors
  • Investors approaching retirement who want to de-risk their portfolio

Resources Mentioned:

  • DST-Exchange.com (Fred’s 1031 calculator tool)
  • Forbes.com (search “Hubler” for Fred’s educational articles on DSTs and alternative investments
  • The “worst case scenario” example: Kansas Gander Mountain property (2007-2016)

Whether you’re sitting on appreciated real estate wondering about your next move, working with clients who need exit strategies, or simply curious about institutional-quality passive real estate investing, this episode delivers actionable intelligence you won’t find anywhere else.

Host: Rob Coldwell, Principal at Rentwell Property ManagementGuest: Fred Hubler, Financial Advisor & Forbes ContributorRecorded: DIG Philly Commercial Investment Subgroup Meeting, December 2025

Note: This episode is educational in nature. DSTs are securities available only to accredited investors. Consult with qualified financial and tax advisors before making investment decisions.

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